Hello WIAW-ers! How is your year going so far?
I’m sure you all have started, or have at least began thinking about your New Year’s Resolutions. Last year I refrained from making a specific list and instead decided upon a simple goal. A goal to be more proactive.
I don’t really like being confined to specifics, so in 2013 I’m going to follow along the same lines as last year and pick just one generalized resolution:
Try New Things.
A few “new things” that I want to try include:
Joining a new group at college
Following a Bible devotional
Experimenting with a new-to-me food
Reading a different genre of book
Trying out an exercise class
Blogging about a topic other than food/health
Other than making it a goal; however, I’m not going to set any specific events or get down on myself if I don’t complete tasks by a certain date.
New Year’s Resolutions in the late 1800s were about becoming a better person through doing good works or making an effort to improve your character. Today, someone’s typical New Year’s Resolution is focused on becoming better superficially.According to my trustworthy trusty friend Wikipedia, the typical teenage girl’s resolution focuses on improving her body, hairstyle, makeup and/or clothing.
A resolution is supposed to be a lifestyle change. Normally I am a pretty withdrawn, not very social person. Sometimes this can lead to missed opportunities, or just sheer boredom. That’s not to say that I am going to suddenly change overnight from an introvert to an extrovert, but I am going to make a conscious effort to try new things, and make the most of this new year.
As a sort of closure from 2012 and lee-way into today’s WIAW post, I want to give the top 5 WIAW posts on Eating 4 Balance. I’ve said before that I want to be transparent, so I’m also going to give you all a link to my blog’s Annual Report with my stats.
Best of WIAW from 2012:
- WIAW- Randomness, Workouts and Recipes (62 comments) October 2012
- Jammed Packed Weekend, Recipes and WIAW (39 comments) September 2012
- Wiaw While Packing for College (Pumpkin recipe) (20 comments) August 2012
- WIAW + Fun Foods Survey (59 comments) November 2012
- What I Ate/Watched Wednesday (44 comments) October 2012
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Now for this week’s WIAW- What I Ate on New Year’s Eve While I Babysat.
Right before I left for babysitting, I made some carrot juice to drink, and I prepared my supper in some thermoses.
When I got to the kid’s house at 3:00 PM they showed me their Christmas presents and then we watched some Disney Channel.
After that the girl and I made some colorful snowflakes and decorated their kitchen.
Then it was time for supper. For them I made homemade macaroni and cheese:
For myself I had some homemade soup with zucchini noodles, beef, beef broth and sea salt:
After that we played Parcheesi and watched Despicable Me while we colored and drew pictures (sadly I forgot to take pictures of our drawings! I drew a Bird of Paradise and one of the minions from Despicable Me). Here’s a goofy photo of me instead:
At 10:00 PM their parents came home from a night of The Hobbit and a texas roadhouse to eat. The snow near the roads had started to drift and the family all got in their big truck (the kids still in their pajamas) to follow me home and make sure I arrived safe. So nice!
When I got home my brother and his friends were playing video games and my parents were upstairs watching a movie. Immediately I went to the kitchen to heat up another large mug of soup, this time with kabocha squash!
I read some blogs in our office and after some texts wishing a Happy New Years at midnight I went to bed. My brother and his friends had a much more exciting start to 2013 with carbonated juice in fancy wine glasses, and confetti poppers (of which some remnants are still strewned across our driveway).
This morning I woke up to the good news that the Senate, and this afternoon the House passed the legislation to prevent our country from going over the fiscal cliff… *Whew* That was a close one. Happy New Year indeed!
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Have you made a New Year’s Resolution yet? It’s not too late!
What did you do on New Year’s Eve? Did you see the ball drop?
Do you ever make fresh juice? What’s your favorite kind?
Your night w/ the kiddos sounds like so much fun. Love the little snowflake decorations. Too cute!
It really was fun. I love how they are older and we can do a lot more stuff than with the younger kids I’ve babysat… Like use scissors!
Sounds like a very sweet end to 2012/start to 2013. You could also call it soup-er if you like bad puns like me
Um… I officially love your idea of “soup-er.” I’m going to have to use that. Multiple times.
I haven’t really made any New Year’s resolutions yet, but I suppose there IS still time:) Like you, I have recently begun posting about topics other than food on my blog; I thought it would be a fun change. That carrot juice looks delicious! I love carrot juice, but have never made my own before.
I just made mine last night, a day late, but that’s okay!
I’m not entirely sure what I want to blog about other than food, but there’s no rush. Probably an idea will just hit me. That’s what normally happens!
Carrot juice used to literally make me gag. I would only drink fruit juices. Carrot juice is supposed to be very cleansing though, and easier on the stomach so I figured I’d give it a try again. I don’t love it, but it’s pretty good!
I like how you’re focusing on trying new things this year…it’s easier for me to make a general idea/theme to focus on for a year than a specific list….mine is to stay present/focus on each moment and let everything else go. Using zucchini noodles in macaroni and cheese sounds amazing, too!! Definitely going to have to try that
Exactly. I like your use of the word “theme.” That’s the perfect way to describe it. Like a story, a New Year’s Resolution should be a constant theme in our life, something to improve upon it from the previous year.
And your idea of zucchini noodles in macaroni and cheese sounds way more interesting than my beef soup
Haha. The kids would have flipped if I’d tried that. You’ll definitely have to let me know how it goes if you ever do 
Happy New Year! Sounds like a fun night with the kiddos!
It was very fun! Happy 2013!
What a fun night! I’m definitely trying some of the same things you are for the new year. It’s all about pushing that comfort zone for me!
Definitely. Sounds like you have the right idea too about the new year!
What a fun night of babysitting
Sounds like the kids had a really great night with you – I’m sure you helped make their New Years Eve memorable! PS – I have never made my own juice but I LOVE fresh carrot juice!
I hope they had fun!
And fresh juice is amazing. So much better than store-bought
I love your list of trying new things, i think that is something i want to carry into the new year as well, trying new things. what a great idea!
Thanks. Good luck!
I love the simplicity of your New Year’s Eve! Sounds like fun!
I’m not much into juices. I prefer to crunch fruit and veggies as whole!
And no particular resolutions for me! Just try my best and enjoy the process! And I wish all the best of achieving yours!
I sure hope it’s fun!
I agree with the crunchiness of fruit and veggies. I’d much prefer that, but for now with my sensitive stomach it’s cooked veggies and fresh juice.
Sounds like a great way to look at the new year. Just enjoy!
LOVE the photo with the squash, Madison! Too Cute! Happy New Year!
Haha. THANKS. Happy New Year to you too!!
I have a focus word for the year “fearless”. Same concept as yours.
I know the mac n cheese wasn’t for you but whenever I see the homemade kind my mouth just waters.
I have a juicer but rarely use it.
I’ve never thought about using a focus word, but that sounds like a really good idea.
Same here. I love macaroni and cheese!
Your carrot juice sounds really good. Was it just carrots? Glad to see you eating your beef soup and having a great time with the little ones. Happy New Year!
Just carrots. My brother got inspired after seeing me use it and made some fresh orange/apple juice.
Happy 2013!
Love your list of new things! The homemade snowflakes are adorable, too:) Happy New Year!
Thanks. When the girl asked me to make some snowflakes I was a little skeptical, but they turned out great.
I love the idea of a joining a new club in college. That is actually how I found running to be enjoyable. Without joining the club, it never would have interested me. Love the squash photo!
Now I just need to decide which one!
Trying new things is one of the best resolutions you can make. There is no end to how much you can achieve, and you’re not going to feel like a failure if you only try a few new things because at least you have put yourself out there! Love it.
That’s how I felt about it. “Trying new things” can technically encompass most regular New Year’s resolutions, and this way I won’t fail
Kabocha soup in a mug sounds delicious! I had some kabocha for lunch today with an egg scramble…perfect lunch for a cold day
!
That was my first time having it. I don’t think I’ll be having it for awhile though because the store I bought it at was over an hour away, and none of the grocers around here sell any
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